When I was a kid, I used to eat whatever and whenever I wanted. I was active by playing with my friends, siblings and playing sports. I seemed to burn up calories without even trying. Not to mention my metabolism was off the scale.
Mealtime with family and friends was more than just fuel for our bodies. It was truly an experience filled with lots of laughter around our table. My mom was such a good cook and meals were always enjoyable!
As I got into my teens and early 20’s, I became even more active. Food became a source of fuel in addition to the experience of enjoying a great meal.
And then it happened… I turned 30 and my body decided that it was time for a revolution. It was like my body said “I’m done, I’m on strike, I’m tired of you using up all these calories for yourself and I’m just going to keep him right here… around your midsection.” And, it did!
I found it became harder and harder to maintain the body I once had. Oh, I went to the gym and I exercised and I was pretty active. By then I had young children and was busy chasing them (and my pretty wife 😊) around constantly. Since I was still fairly young, I found ways to control my weight and to maintain and overall healthy body.
But then I hit 40 and 40 turned into mid 50s and it seems I’ve totally lost the battle of the bulge. No matter what I put into my mouth, my body retains it. Okay, I’m totally guilty and feel convicted right now. I will admit that what I put into my body isn’t always the best for me since I’m not nearly as active and burning off those unnecessary calories like I used to. But hey, who doesn’t like tons of pasta, and bread and CAKE!
It’s not that I’m not in shape. It’s just that it’s the shape of round 😊.
I was recently looking at pictures of myself in my 20s and 30s when I was able to eat the way that I am eating now and was amazed at how great I looked compared to… well, today.
The biggest thing for me is realizing that I need to make some changes in my lifestyle now that I’ve identified that those changes are necessary. They are not only necessary for my health and wellbeing. But they are necessary as I want to be around a lot longer to enjoy my grandkids. I have a lot of shenanigans planned and bad jokes to teach them.
The bottom line is that I know what I need to do now that I’ve admitted I have made some poor choices causing my current state.
The good news is it is not too late. And it’s up to me to take action and eat better and get in better shape… and not the shape of round.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
Just like our bodies change over time, our businesses do, too. When you first launch your business, everything feels new and full of energy. You’re scrappy, motivated, and running on the excitement of starting something fresh. You throw yourself into every idea, chase every opportunity, and somehow make it all work even if it’s not exactly sustainable. But over time, just like our metabolism, your business starts to settle into a different rhythm. What once worked effortlessly might suddenly feel sluggish or outdated, and you’re left wondering, “What changed?”
And here’s the tricky part. We don’t always notice the shift right away. Sometimes we’re too close to the day-to-day to see it clearly. We keep running the same strategies, pushing the same offers, or holding onto systems that worked great early on but are now holding us back. Maybe things start slowing down. Maybe you’re working harder and earning less. Or maybe the passion is fading, and you’re just going through the motions. Whatever it is, it’s a signal that something’s off. Just like when your jeans suddenly stop buttoning and you swear the dryer must’ve shrunk them.
The truth is, we can’t keep running our businesses like it’s still year one. Just like I can’t keep eating like a teenager and expect to stay in shape without adjusting, we can’t keep feeding our business the same “diet” it had back when it was brand new. Growth demands change. It requires that we notice what’s not working, admit when we’ve gotten off track, and make intentional shifts to support long-term health and success. The good news? It’s not too late. You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight but you do have to start somewhere.
Here are 5 practical steps to help you maintain a healthy online business and adapt when things need to change:
- Check Your Metrics and Don’t Guess
It’s easy to assume things are “fine” in your business, but assumptions can be costly. Don’t rely on your gut. Rely on the data. Dive into your website traffic, email open rates, sales conversions, social media engagement, and any platform-specific insights. Your numbers will tell the story of what’s working, what’s lagging, and where opportunities lie. This isn’t about getting obsessed with analytics. It’s about making informed decisions. Numbers are neutral. They don’t have feelings. They’re just signals… and it’s up to you to listen.
- Audit Your Activity and Not Just Your Numbers
Busy doesn’t always mean productive. Before you create another to-do list, take a step back and observe how you’re actually spending your time. Are you reacting to every notification, jumping from task to task, or “doing stuff” that doesn’t move your business forward? Track your activities for a few days and look for patterns. What’s truly necessary and what’s just noise? Trim the distractions, double down on high-impact actions, and make sure your daily efforts are aligned with your big-picture goals.
- Listen More Than You Talk
If you want to stay relevant and connected to your audience, you’ve got to listen…really listen. Read their comments. Watch their behavior. Ask questions and pay attention to the answers. When engagement drops or feedback gets quiet, it’s a cue to lean in. What are your customer struggling with? What language are they using? What do they want more of (or less of)? Listening creates alignment, and alignment builds trust. Trust leads to growth.
- Trim the Fat and Let Go of What’s Not Working
There’s a good chance you’re holding onto something in your business that’s no longer serving you. An outdated offer, a complicated system, or a content strategy that just isn’t landing. We do this because change feels risky but clinging to what’s broken is even riskier. Be honest with yourself. f it’s not working, it’s time to let it go. Simplify wherever you can. A leaner business is often a healthier one.
- Recommit to Your WHY…Because Passion Drives Progress
When business starts to feel misaligned, it’s usually because we’ve drifted from our original purpose. Go back to the beginning. Why did you start this? What did you want to create? Who did you want to help? Your “WHY” is your compass. It keeps you grounded and focused when things get overwhelming. Reconnecting with your mission gives clarity to your decisions and energy to your actions. A healthy business isn’t just efficient, it’s meaningful.
So just like I need to put down the cake (or at least eat it before a walk), you’ve got to pause now and then to evaluate what your business truly needs. The good news? It’s never too late to make better decisions. Better choices create better results. And just like with your health, the sooner you start, the better you’ll feel mentally, financially, and creatively.
Let’s trade in “round and stuck” for “lean and thriving.”
Ready to make your business healthier and more aligned with where you are now? Start by taking one small step today because clarity follows action. What’s the first thing you do when you realize it’s time to make a change in your business? Let me know in the comments!
As I’m writing this post about making better choices, especially in the food department, I find that I’m craving some carrot cake. Maybe I better just stick with the carrots. 😊
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” — George Bernard Shaw
“Nothing happens until the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change.” — Tony Robbins
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
I eat cake because it’s somebody’s birthday somewhere. I’m just being supportive.
Someone told me to eat clean. So I washed the donut before eating it. Nailed it.
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
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You hit something quite close for me as well Ernie!
Staying in shape was something quite important during the time that I was in the Army. Then, when I retired, I found myself not being able to lose the pounds… it seemed as if I was collecting them for “bad” days…
I knew that I always took care of what I ate; never over-indulged in bad or processed food but like my doctor told me: “Marc, you’re usually burning all the calories during the day and now you’re sitting on your derrière all day! What did you expect!??!”.
Things have changed, training 3 times a week sure helps but like you said, you need to be able and willing to change if you want to get better.
Same thing applies for businesses! Thanks for the reminder!
Marc – These are such great points that you make. When we get sedentary or possibly complacent, maybe even lazy, things do tend to slow down. The key is when we recognize these situations, we need to make a conscious decision to change. This goes for personal and professional lives, right? Thank you for your visit and for your comments!
Ugh. I am having to make changes in diet and sedentary lifestyles. It has reached critical mass. For instance, I ate ice cream yesterday and gained 4 pounds. Why!? Why!? Why!? Lol
Hi Kate – You and I have the issues, it seems. Bodies are strange and they literally have a mind of their own. Very similar to our businesses, right? Have a great week and thank you for your visiting comments!
Ernie, I never thought about what you said when things go silent lean in. Perhaps you could further explain what that all entails?
Great question! Quiet, or silent, may just mean something’s not clicking or content has become “stale.” Don’t pull away. Ask your audience with probing, relevant questions. Listen to the answers and research carefully (if necessary), Follow up to encourage trust and provide value. If anything, it may serve to energize you in addition to preserving a customer or lead. I hope this helps and thank you for your visit!
Hey Ernie! Oh wow, I can definitely relate to this. I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted too, and now? Let’s just say my jeans have a different opinion about that 😅. I love how you tied this into business because it’s so true. What worked for me when I first started isn’t really cutting it anymore, and I’ve been feeling that shift lately. This was such a good reminder that it’s not too late to make changes, both for our health and our business. Thanks for this!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – I guess I’m sorry you can relate as you’re in the same boat that I am, right? 🙂 I’ve had a long love/hate relationship with “unhealthy” food. I love how it tastes, but I don’t necessarily like what it does to my body. I guess the same can be applied towards business. It’s about staying healthy, moderation and really just doing the right thing when deep down we know what the right thing is. I truly appreciate your visit and hope you have a wonderful week!
Ernie, I like how you connected the need for lifestyle changes with the need for business changes. It’s true that what worked in the beginning can start holding us back if we don’t adjust. The reminder to check the numbers and listen to our audience is a practical way to stay on track. Letting go of outdated strategies can be uncomfortable, but it often leads to better results. Small, intentional steps really can make a big difference over time.
Hi Atif – I could not have said it any better, my friend! those small and subtle changes and listening, really listening not just hearing, our audience will make the big difference. Our strategies need to be focused and relevant and not just the next or the last big thing. thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your comments!